North Carolina 2025 Session Status: In Committee 1 R cosponsors

SB 937 — Marijuana and Vapor Products Reform.

Last action — Passed 1st Reading

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 29, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee vote, then a floor vote in the Senate.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Stalled 16% · moderate confidence

  • In Committee

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 1 sponsor

    0 primary, 1 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Single-party support

    Sponsorship is currently within one party (1 R).

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

32 added · 33 removed

Plain-language change summary

In the latest version of Senate Bill 937, several lines have been removed and added, streamlining the language around the rules for proving the age of individuals purchasing certain products. It retains the requirement for proof of age, but clarifies that this proof must be reasonably relied upon by the seller. The changes also specify how tax proceeds from these sales should be allocated, ensuring that a portion goes to the Division of Public Health. These adjustments help clarify responsibilities and improve funding for public health initiatives related to these products.

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FILED SENATE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA Apr 29, 2026 S.B.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SESSION 2025 S 1 SENATE BILL 937 Short Title:
937 SESSION 2025 PRINCIPAL CLERK S D SENATE BILL DRS45506-DCxfa-3 Short Title:
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT DECRIMINALIZING POSSESSION OF FIVE GRAMS OR LESS OF MARIJUANA;
Rules and Operations of the Senate April 30, 2026 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT DECRIMINALIZING POSSESSION OF FIVE GRAMS OR LESS OF MARIJUANA;
no currently accepted medical use in the United States, or a relatively low potential for abuse in terms of risk to public health and potential to produce psychic or physiological dependence liability based upon present medical knowledge, or a need for further and continuing study to develop scientific evidence of its pharmacological effects.
no currentlyaccepted medical use in the United States, or a relatively low potential for abuse in terms of risk to public health and potential to produce psychic or physiological dependence liability based upon present medical knowledge, or a need for further and continuing study to develop scientific evidence of its pharmacological effects.
*DRS45506-DCxfa-3* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 As used in this Article:
*S937-v-1* General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 As used in this Article:
Page 2 DRS45506-DCxfa-3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 … (25a) "Secretary of Health and Human Services" means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
Page 2 Senate Bill 937-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 … (25a) "Secretary of Health and Human Services" means the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.
If any person is foundguilty ofviolatingthis subdivision, and theviolationarose in furtherance of a business organized under the laws of this State, then the judge shall order the Secretary of State to revoke the business's authority to operate within this State.
If anyperson is found guiltyofviolatingthis subdivision,andtheviolationarose in furtherance of a business organized under the laws of this State, then the judge shall order the Secretary of State to revoke the business's authority to operate within this State.
… (h) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the following provisions apply except as otherwise provided in this Article:
… (h) Notwithstanding anyother provision of law, the following provisions apply except as otherwise provided in this Article:
DRS45506-DCxfa-3 Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Any person who sells, manufactures, delivers, transports, or possesses in excess of 10 pounds (avoirdupois) of marijuana shall be guilty of a felony which felony shall be known as "trafficking in marijuana" and if the quantity of such substance involved:
Senate Bill 937-First Edition Page 3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (1) Any person who sells, manufactures, delivers, transports, or possesses in excess of 10 pounds (avoirdupois) of marijuana shall be guilty of a felony which felony shall be known as "trafficking in marijuana" and if the quantity of such substance involved:
…." Page 4 DRS45506-DCxfa-3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.1.(d) This Part becomes effective December 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
…." Page 4 Senate Bill 937-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 SECTION 1.1.(d) This Part becomes effective December 1, 2026, and applies to offenses committed on or after that date.
DRS45506-DCxfa-3 Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Vapor product.
Senate Bill 937-First Edition Page 5 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (5) Vapor product.
(1) Thedefendant demanded,was shown,andreasonably relied upon proofofage in the case of a retailer, or any other documentary or written evidence of age in the case of a nonretailer.
(1) Thedefendant demanded,was shown,andreasonablyrelied upon proofofage in the case of a retailer, or any other documentary or written evidence of age in the case of a nonretailer.
Page 6 DRS45506-DCxfa-3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) The defendant relied on a biometric identification system that demonstrated (i) the purchaser's age to be at least the required age for the purchase and (ii) the purchaser had previously registered with the seller or seller's agent a drivers license, a special identification card issued under G.S.
Page 6 Senate Bill 937-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 (3) The defendant relied on a biometric identification system that demonstrated (i) the purchaser's age to be at least the required age for the purchase and (ii) the purchaser had previously registered with the seller or seller's agent a drivers license, a special identification card issued under G.S.
20-37.7, a military identification card, or a passport showing the purchaser's date of birth and bearing a physical description of the person named on the card.
20-37.7, a militaryidentification card, or a passport showing the purchaser's date of birth and bearing a physical description of the person named on the card.
provided, however, vending machines distributing tobacco those products are permitted (i) in any establishment which is open only to persons 18 21 years of age and older;
provided, however, vendingmachines distributing tobacco those products are permitted (i) in any establishment which is open only to persons 18 21 years of age and older;
provided further, that the Department of Health and Human Services shall have the authority, pursuant to a written plan prepared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to use persons under 18 21 years of age in annual, random, unannounced inspections, provided that prior written parental consent is given for the DRS45506-DCxfa-3 Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 involvement of these persons and that the inspections are conducted for the sole purpose of preparing a scientifically and methodologically valid statistical study of the extent of success the State has achieved in reducing the availability of tobacco products, vapor products, and consumable products to persons under the age of 18, 21, and preparing any report to the extent required by section 1926 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 USC § 300x-26).
provided further, that the Department of Health and Human Services shall have the authority, pursuant to a written plan prepared by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to use persons under 18 21 years of age in annual, random, unannounced inspections, provided that prior written parental consent is given for the Senate Bill 937-First Edition Page 7 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 involvement of these persons and that the inspections are conducted for the sole purpose of preparing a scientifically and methodologically valid statistical study of the extent of success the State has achieved in reducing the availability of tobacco products, vapor products, and consumable products to persons under the age of 18, 21, and preparing any report to the extent required by section 1926 of the federal Public Health Service Act (42 USC § 300x-26).
15A-1341(a4), any person charged with a misdemeanor under this section shall be qualified for deferred prosecution or a conditional discharge pursuant to Article 82 of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes provided the defendant has not previously been placed on probation for a violation of this section and so states under oath.
15A-1341(a4), any person charged with a misdemeanor under this section shall be qualified for deferred prosecution or a conditional discharge pursuant to Article 82 of Chapter 15A of the General Statutes provided the defendant has not previouslybeen placed on probation for a violation of this section and so states under oath.
Page 8 DRS45506-DCxfa-3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 105-113.4F.
Page 8 Senate Bill 937-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 "§ 105-113.4F.
– The Secretary must credit the net proceeds of the tax collected under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section as follows:
– The Secretarymust credit the net proceeds of the tax collected under subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section as follows:
(2) An amount equal to fifty percent (50%) to the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide public education throughout the State on the health risks associated with vapor products." SECTION 4.1.(d) G.S.
(2) An amount equal to fiftypercent (50%) to the Division of Public Health of the Department of Health and Human Services to provide public education throughout the State on the health risks associated with vapor products." SECTION 4.1.(d) G.S.
(1) At therateofforty cents (40¢)onedollarandfifty cents ($1.50) foreachgram, or fraction thereof, of harvested marijuana stems and stalks that have been separated from and are not mixed with any other parts of the marijuana plant.
(1) At therateoffortycents (40¢) onedollarandfiftycents ($1.50) foreach gram, or fraction thereof, of harvested marijuana stems and stalks that have been separated from and are not mixed with any other parts of the marijuana plant.
…." SECTION 4.1.(e) ThisPartbecomeseffectivefortaxableyearsbeginningonorafter January 1, 2027.
…." SECTION4.1.(e) ThisPartbecomeseffectivefortaxable yearsbeginningon orafter January 1, 2027.
(1) Occurring, encountered, or otherwise discovered on the premises of, or elsewhere when the conduct relates to, a location under application for or DRS45506-DCxfa-3 Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 holding a permit issued by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission or the North Carolina Education Lottery Commission.
(1) Occurring, encountered, or otherwise discovered on the premises of, or elsewhere when the conduct relates to, a location under application for or Senate Bill 937-First Edition Page 9 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 holding a permit issued by the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control Commission or the North Carolina Education Lottery Commission.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO THE VAPOR PRODUCTS DIRECTORY SECTION6.1.(a) IfSenateBill595ofthe2026RegularSessionofthe2025General Assembly becomes law, then G.S.
ADMINISTRATIVE CHANGES TO THE VAPOR PRODUCTS DIRECTORY SECTION6.1.(a) IfSenateBill595ofthe2026RegularSessionofthe2025General Assemblybecomes law, then G.S.
143B-245.10, as amended by Part IX of Senate Bill 595 of the 2026 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly, reads as rewritten:
143B-245.10, as amended byPart IX of Senate Bill 595 of the 2026 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly, reads as rewritten:
14-313(a)(5)." SECTION6.1.(b) IfSenateBill595ofthe2026RegularSessionofthe2025General Assembly becomes law, then G.S.
14-313(a)(5)." SECTION6.1.(b) IfSenateBill595ofthe2026RegularSessionofthe2025General Assemblybecomes law, then G.S.
143B-245.15, as amended by Part IX of Senate Bill 595 of the 2026 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly, reads as rewritten:
143B-245.15, as amended byPart IX of Senate Bill 595 of the 2026 Regular Session of the 2025 General Assembly, reads as rewritten:
Unannounced follow-up compliance checks of all noncompliant retailers, distributors, and wholesalers shall be conducted Page 10 DRS45506-DCxfa-3 General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 within 30 days after any violation of this Part.
Unannounced follow-up compliance checks of all noncompliant retailers, distributors, and wholesalers shall be conducted Page 10 Senate Bill 937-First Edition General Assembly Of North Carolina Session 2025 within 30 days after any violation of this Part.
143B-245.13mayalert the ALE Division of the violation, and the ALE Division shall cause an unannounced compliance check to occur with respect to the person alleged to bein violation.mayinvestigatethe alleged violationand, if necessary, conduct an unannounced inspection.
143B-245.13mayalert the ALE Division of the violation, and the ALE Division shall cause an unannounced compliance check to occur with respect to the person alleged to bein violation.mayinvestigate the alleged violationand, if necessary, conduct an unannounced inspection.
(4) Any products identified for sale that are not on the registry in compliance with the provisions of this Chapter may be subject to seizure, forfeiture, and destruction in accordance with G.S.
(4) Anyproducts identified for sale that are not on the registryin compliance with the provisions of this Chapter may be subject to seizure, forfeiture, and destruction in accordance with G.S.
DRS45506-DCxfa-3 Page 11
Senate Bill 937-First Edition Page 11
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Action History

  1. Passed 1st Reading

  2. Ref To Com On Rules and Operations of the Senate

  3. Withdrawn From Com

  4. Re-ref Com On Appropriations/Base Budget

  5. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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0 sponsors · 1 co-sponsors · 178 not signed on

Sponsors (0)

None.

Co-sponsors (1)

Not signed on (178)

178 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 178 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

Whip count is in markup. Polling the chamber and every recorded vote this session. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Calling the roll · Tallying · Engrossing

Subjects

public-safety taxation agriculture
Cross-referencing the record. Reading this bill against every other bill in the corpus by meaning, not keywords. Only the first open is slow. It’s instant for you after this. Matching · Ranking · Engrossing

Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 937?
SB 937 is sponsored by Jim Burgin (Republican).
What is the current status of SB 937?
This bill is in committee in the Senate. Introduced April 29, 2026. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track SB 937?
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